Here are the latest renewable energy news stories from the U.S. in our monthly roundup series hosted by Eddy Maunder, Principal Consultant at Coalesce Management Consulting.
Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mkc3pk31ZG4
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Trump’s Executive Order and its impact for onshore and offshore wind projects
Our top story this month is newly inaugurated President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order pausing offshore wind leasing on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and is mandating a review of the federal government’s leasing and permitting practices for wind projects. The Order also stops all relevant agencies from issuing approvals, either new or renewed, for both onshore and offshore wind projects until the review is completed.
According to Section 1 of the document, the withdrawal of the OCS areas under the Executive Order does not apply to leasing related to other purposes, including oil, gas, minerals, and environmental conservation, and it does not affect rights under existing leases in the withdrawn areas.
Section 2 of the Executive Order discontinues the issuance of new or renewed approvals, rights of way, permits, leases, or loans for onshore and offshore wind projects until “a comprehensive assessment and review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices” is completed.
Although a blow to the development of the offshore wind industry in the U.S., projects already in construction will not be affected.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects 26GW of solar capacity to the U.S. electric power sector and forecasts wind capacity additions to increase 8GW in 2025
EIA expects that U.S. renewable capacity additions (especially solar) will continue to drive the growth of U.S. power generation over the next two years. It expects U.S. utilities and independent power producers will add 26GW of solar capacity to the U.S. electric power sector this year and 22GW in 2026.
Last year, the electric power sector added a record 37GW of solar power capacity to the electric power sector, almost double 2023 solar capacity additions. It forecasts wind capacity additions will increase by around 8GW in 2025 and 9GW in 2026, slight increases from the 7GW added in 2024.
NextEra Energy Partners LP announces name change to XPLR Infrastructure LP
NextEra Energy Partners LP announced it is changing its name to XPLR Infrastructure LP with immediate effect. The company will start trading under a new ticker symbol, XIFR, on the New York Stock Exchange on February 3. It added it will have a new logo and new website, without elaborating further on the rebranding.
PivotGen now offers wind project ‘repowering’ services
Finally, Chicago-based renewable energy developer and engineering firm PivotGen will now offer wind project “repowering” services as part of its core offerings. The three-year-old firm specializes in renewable energy development and optimizing existing wind assets to maximize performance and extend their operational life.
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If you have a renewable energy project coming up, we provide engineering, construction and project management services to help you deliver your project ahead of schedule and under budget. Reach out to Eddy at edward.maunder@cmcexpertisedelivered.com or leave us a message here.